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John Jolley Jr & Susannah Carter

John Jolley Jr & Susannah Carter
(Parents of Margaret Ann Jolley, Mother of Joseph Jolley Jensen, Father of Caroline Oleta Jensen, Mother of Alan J White)




John Jolley was born in England. When he was just seven years old he was put to work down in a coal mine to hold the screen and carry water. When he was 15 years old he joined the Primitive Methodist Church, but he was not satisfied with their teachings. He read the Bible and learned that an angel would bring the gospel to the earth in the fullness of time.  He studied and waited for the time when he should hear the truth.
            When he was 19 years of age he met and married Susannah (Susan) Carter.  Together they heard the gospel preached in 1846 by Elder John Carmichael and they were convinced that they at last were hearing the truth. They were baptized in 1848. They had to endure a great deal for the Gospel, because of the opposition of their families.  He continued to work in the coal mines until he left England to come to America.
            John and Susan with their four children left their home and families to come to America 12 May 1862.  They were on the Atlantic for 42 days, and they then travelled by boat and rail. They finally arrived at Winter Quarters on July 6. They pitched their tents and in the afternoon a severe storm of wind, rain, thunder and lightning overtook them. Two men and four yoke of oxen were killed by lightning during the storm.  They stayed at Winter Quarters until 7 August when their wagons rolled out of camp for their journey across the plains.
            On 6 September, Susan passed away leaving five children, the oldest 15 years old and the youngest a baby boy of six weeks.  Susan was buried at Shoal Creek a distance of 400 miles from Winter Quarters.

The rest of the family did the best they could to raise the tiny baby, but in spite of their efforts this tiny baby passed away 13 October 1862 and was buried at Needle Springs.  They traveled on and entered Salt Lake City 19 October 1862.